Zale
Corporation Selects GSI Commerce to Provide Multichannel
e-Commerce Solution for All of its Brands [May
25, 2005]
KING
OF PRUSSIA, Pa., May 25, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall
via COMTEX/ -- GSI Commerce Inc. (GSIC) today announced
it has signed a multiyear agreement with Zale Corporation
(ZLC) to provide North America's largest specialty retailer
of fine jewelry with multichannel e-commerce solutions
for each of its brands. Zale Corporation brands include:
Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon's Jewelers, Bailey
Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers and Piercing Pagoda
in the United States as well as Peoples Jewellers and
Mappins Jewellers in Canada.
GSI Commerce's solution will replace
systems currently operated in-house by Zale. GSI Commerce
will provide an e-commerce solution for all Zale brands
covering multichannel initiatives and customer care
operations. The agreement encompasses the full technology
platform, including site administration, the Web commerce
engine, Web hosting and infrastructure, order management
and business intelligence.
"We believe there is further growth
opportunity available for our brands through the Web
and through associated multichannel efforts," said
Bernard Sensale, senior vice president of marketing
for Zale Corporation. "GSI Commerce provides us
with a robust, flexible and integrated e-commerce solution.
Our brands, both in the U.S. and Canada, can use this
platform to grow their online businesses and maximize
the online channel as a complement to our national store
base."
"We are excited to enter our seventh
merchandise category by partnering with the largest
specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America,"
said Damon Mintzer, executive vice president for GSI
Commerce. "The jewelry category is one of the fastest
growing areas of online retailing. We believe that our
e-commerce platform and expertise, coupled with Zale
Corporation's powerful brands and merchandising capabilities,
is a winning combination to create success for both
companies."
About
GSI Commerce
GSI
Commerce is a leading provider of e-commerce solutions
that enable retailers, branded manufacturers, entertainment
companies and professional sports organizations to operate
e-commerce businesses. We provide solutions for our
partners through our integrated e-commerce platform,
which is comprised of three components: core technology,
supporting infrastructure and partner services. We either
operate, or will operate pursuant to signed agreements,
all or portions of the e-commerce businesses for approximately
50 partners.
About
Zale Corporation
Zale Corporation is North America's largest specialty
retailer of fine jewelry operating approximately 2,330
retail locations throughout the United States, Canada
and Puerto Rico, as well as online. Zale Corporation's
brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon's
Jewelers, Bailey Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers, Peoples
Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda. Through
its ZLC Direct organization, Zale also operates online
at http://www.zales.com and http://www.baileybanksandbiddle.com.
Additional
information on Zale Corporation and
its brands is available at http://www.zalecorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All
statements made in this release, other than statements
of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.
The words "anticipate," "believe,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend,"
"may," "plan," "will,"
"would," "should," "guidance,"
"potential," "continue," "project,"
"forecast," "confident," "prospects,"
and similar expressions typically are used to identify
forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs,
assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business
of GSI Commerce and the industries and markets in which
GSI Commerce and its partners operate. These statements
are not guarantees of future performance and involve
risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult
to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may
differ materially from what is expressed or implied
by these forward-looking statements. Factors which may
affect GSI Commerce's business, financial condition
and operating results include the effects of changes
in the economy, the impact of FAS 123R, consumer spending,
the financial markets and the industries in which GSI
Commerce and its partners operate, changes affecting
the Internet and e- commerce, the ability of GSI Commerce
to develop and maintain relationships with strategic
partners and suppliers and the timing of its establishment,
extension or termination of its relationships with strategic
partners, the ability of GSI Commerce to timely and
successfully develop, maintain and protect its technology
and product and service offerings and execute operationally,
the ability of GSI Commerce to attract and retain qualified
personnel, the ability of GSI Commerce to successfully
integrate its acquisitions of other businesses, if any,
and the performance of acquired businesses. More information
about potential factors that could affect GSI Commerce
can be found in its most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q
and other reports and statements filed by GSI Commerce
with the SEC. GSI Commerce expressly disclaims any intent
or obligation to update these forward-looking statements,
except as otherwise specifically stated by GSI Commerce.
GSI Commerce Contacts:
GSI Commerce
Michael Conn Greg Ryan
Senior Vice President, Director, Corp. Communications
Corp. Development tel: 610-491-7294
tel: 610-491-7002 e-mail: ryang@gsicommerce.com
e-mail: connm@gsicommerce.com
Zale Corporation Contact:
David H. Sternblitz
Vice President and Treasurer
(972) 580-5047
SOURCE GSI Commerce Inc.
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